Dixon Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Dixon, Illinois?
Arrest records are public documents in Dixon, Illinois, accessible to all members of the public under state law. This accessibility is established by the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140/1 et seq.), which provides citizens with the right to inspect and copy public records maintained by government agencies. The Illinois FOIA operates under the principle that government records should be open to public inspection to ensure transparency and accountability in governmental operations. Law enforcement agencies in Dixon, including the Dixon Police Department, maintain arrest records as part of their official documentation of law enforcement activities within the jurisdiction.
Pursuant to Illinois law, these records contain information about individuals who have been taken into custody by law enforcement officials. The public nature of these records serves multiple purposes, including:
- Enabling community awareness of law enforcement activities
- Providing transparency in the criminal justice system
- Allowing individuals to conduct background checks for employment or housing purposes
- Supporting journalistic reporting on crime and public safety matters
- Facilitating research on criminal justice trends and patterns
It should be noted that while arrest records are generally public, certain information may be redacted to protect privacy interests, ongoing investigations, or juvenile records as provided under § 7 of the Illinois FOIA.
How to Look Up Dixon Arrest Records in 2025
Members of the public seeking arrest records in Dixon, Illinois have multiple methods available to access this information. The Dixon Police Department maintains these records in accordance with state recordkeeping requirements. Individuals may utilize the following official channels to obtain arrest record information:
- In-Person Requests at Dixon Police Department: Citizens may submit requests directly at the police department headquarters. Staff will assist with locating and providing available records during regular business hours.
Dixon Police Department
220 S. Hennepin Avenue
Dixon, IL 61021
(815) 288-4411
Dixon Police Department Official Website
- Lee County Circuit Clerk's Office: Court records related to arrests, including case dispositions, may be accessed through the circuit clerk's office.
Lee County Circuit Clerk
309 S. Galena Avenue, Suite 320
Dixon, IL 61021
(815) 284-5234
Lee County Circuit Clerk Official Website
- Illinois State Police: For comprehensive criminal history information, individuals may contact the Illinois State Police Bureau of Identification.
Illinois State Police Bureau of Identification
260 North Chicago Street
Joliet, IL 60432
(815) 740-5160
Illinois State Police Official Website
- Online Access Portal: The Dixon Police Department maintains an electronic records management system that allows for certain arrest information to be accessed online. Users must register and may be required to pay applicable fees for record retrieval.
Requestors should be prepared to provide specific information to facilitate record searches, including the full name of the subject, approximate date of arrest, and case numbers if available. Pursuant to 5 ILCS 140/6, agencies may charge reasonable fees for document reproduction, not to exceed the actual cost of reproduction and certification.
Contents of a Dixon Arrest Record
Arrest records maintained by the Dixon Police Department contain standardized information as required by Illinois law enforcement protocols. These official documents typically include comprehensive details about the arrest incident and the individual taken into custody. Standard arrest records contain the following categories of information:
- Biographical Information: Full legal name of the arrested individual, known aliases, date of birth, gender, race, height, weight, eye and hair color, and residential address at time of arrest
- Arrest Details: Date, time, and specific location of the arrest, arresting officer's name and badge number, and the law enforcement agency responsible for the arrest
- Criminal Charges: Specific statutory violations alleged, including Illinois Criminal Code citations and classification of offenses (felony, misdemeanor, etc.)
- Booking Information: Unique booking identification number, fingerprint classification data, and photographic identification (mugshot)
- Custody Status: Information regarding detention, release conditions, bail or bond amounts set, and court appearance dates
- Case Disposition: Current status of the case within the judicial system, if available
- Prior Criminal History: References to previous arrests or convictions, if applicable and included in the record
Pursuant to the Illinois Criminal Identification Act (20 ILCS 2630/), certain identifying information such as fingerprints and photographs are collected during the booking process and become part of the official arrest record. These records are maintained in both local and state databases and may be shared with federal law enforcement agencies through information-sharing agreements.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Dixon
The State of Illinois provides legal mechanisms for the expungement or sealing of arrest records under specific circumstances. Expungement is the process by which arrest records are physically destroyed or returned to the petitioner, while sealing restricts public access to these records. The Criminal Identification Act (20 ILCS 2630/5.2) establishes the legal framework for these procedures.
Individuals may qualify for expungement in Dixon under the following circumstances:
- Arrests that did not result in charges being filed
- Cases where charges were dismissed
- Acquittals or findings of not guilty
- Successful completion of supervision or qualified probation for certain offenses
- Certain non-violent convictions after applicable waiting periods
The expungement process requires petitioners to:
- Obtain a complete copy of their criminal history transcript from the Illinois State Police or Lee County Circuit Clerk
- File a Petition for Expungement with the Circuit Court of Lee County
- Pay applicable filing fees (currently $157 for expungement petitions)
- Serve copies of the petition to all relevant agencies, including the Dixon Police Department, Lee County State's Attorney, and Illinois State Police
- Attend a court hearing if objections are filed by any agency
Lee County Circuit Court
309 S. Galena Avenue
Dixon, IL 61021
(815) 284-5234
Lee County Courts Official Website
Pursuant to 20 ILCS 2630/5.2(d)(6), agencies have 60 days to file objections to expungement petitions. If no objections are filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing. If the petition is granted, all agencies must comply with the expungement order within 60 days.
Certain offenses are ineligible for expungement, including most violent felonies, sexual offenses, and driving under the influence. Additionally, records related to orders of protection or no-contact orders cannot be expunged.
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